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Hiring a Truck Accident Attorney in Utah

You may have many questions when you are involved in a truck accident, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by truck accident victims in the state of Utah.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

There are a number of different reasons why semi-trucks and other large trucks get into accidents in Utah. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Driving with driver fatigue or while overly tired
  • Distracted driving, such as eating while driving or talking on the phone while driving
  • Not following the rules of the road
  • Running stop signs and stop lights
  • Dangerous weather, such as high winds, sleet, and snow
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Driving on a highway or roadway that is unfamiliar to the truck driver
  • Improper loading of cargo into the back of the truck
  • Not paying attention when changing lanes
  • Going over or under the speed limit
  • Reckless driving

No matter what caused a truck accident, victims are entitled to seek compensation for their damages, personal injuries, and losses. If the truck driver was at fault, the truck accident victims may need to file a claim with the trucking company’s insurance. If you’re unsure of which insurance company to file a claim with, seek the legal advice of an experienced accident law firm.

What Types of Injuries Can Happen in a Truck Accident?

The types of injuries sustained in trucking accidents will primarily depend on the type and severity of the crash. It will also depend on whether vehicle occupants were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Some examples of injuries a person can incur in a truck accident include:

  • Strains and sprains
  • Bone fractures
  • Broken bones
  • Fatalities
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Injuries to the back and/or neck
  • Injuries to the spinal cord
  • Coma
  • Disfigurement
  • Lacerations

All of these injuries can result in hefty medical bills, which could potentially strain your financial situation. No matter what type of injury you or your loved one incurred, you’re entitled to fair compensation for your injuries and property damage.

What Steps Should You Take After a Utah Truck Accident?

There are a few key steps that are necessary to take following an accident with a commercial truck. Some of these steps include:

  • Contact the police: It’s important to call the police as soon as possible after the accident if you’re able. If you’re unable to do so, see if another passenger or witness can make the call. Once called, the dispatcher will send out police officers to analyze the scene and provide you with a police report. Be sure to keep the police report in a safe place, as you’ll need this when taking part in a truck accident case.
  • Collect witness contact information: Another important step to take after a tractor-trailer accident is to collect as much information as possible from any witnesses. This information may include their names, addresses, and phone numbers, as well as any statements they are willing to make regarding what they saw in terms of the accident. This information will be useful when filing an accident claim.
  • Get medical treatment: When you contact the police, the dispatcher will also send an emergency medical vehicle to the scene of the accident. EMTs will arrive and perform medical evaluations on all passengers involved to assess them for injuries. Even if you don’t feel you’ve been injured, you should still allow the paramedics to take you to the nearest hospital to be assessed and potentially treated. Many people are in shock after an accident, making it difficult to notice injuries.
  • Contact a truck accident attorney: Once you’ve been assessed for injuries and you aren’t required to stay in the hospital or receive extensive medical care, you should also consider reaching out to an experienced personal injury or truck accident lawyer. Working with an attorney can help boost your chances of getting a fair settlement from the insurance company.
What Is Utah’s Statute of Limitations?

Utah’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years following an auto accident. This means that victims have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. If they fail to do so within this time period, they may lose their opportunity to seek compensation.

Is Utah a No-Fault or At-Fault State?

Utah is a no-fault state, which means that regardless of who was at fault for the accident, all injured parties must seek medical expense compensation for the initial $3,000 from their own insurance companies. For this reason, Utah drivers are required to have personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance included in their auto insurance.

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Utah, you’re probably wondering what your next steps should be. Taking the right steps can help support your personal injury case as well as help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. While vehicle accidents are never easy, trucking accidents can be especially serious due to the size of the truck. Working with a trusted Utah truck accident lawyer can help ensure you get the compensation you deserve. LegalFinders is here to help and can assist you in finding the best personal injury lawyer for your specific case.

Let Us Help You Find the Right Utah Truck Accident Attorney for Your  Case

Utah, located in the Mountain West region of the western United States, is home to several attractions that bring tourists in and lure individuals to move to this state. Utah is surrounded by Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada, and also reaches a corner of New Mexico. This state is the 13th largest state by area and has a population of over three million residents. Additionally, it is the 30th-most-populous state yet the 11th-least-densest state in the US. This is largely due to the vast space in the state that hasn’t been developed yet.

Because this state is so large and there are several residents and thousands of visitors each year, there are countless cars on Utah roads at any given time. Some of these vehicles include large trucks or commercial trucks that are driving through the state to reach their final destination. Unfortunately, like other vehicles, trucks get into accidents, too.

A truck crash can result in minor to serious injuries and damages for those involved. This is especially true if the other vehicle is of a smaller variety, such as a sedan or SUV. How the accident happened and where the vehicles collided will largely determine the extent of the damage and injuries.

In most cases, those involved in a truck accident will need to file a truck accident claim with an insurance company. Because most truck drivers have insurance through their employer, the other party will need to file a claim with their own insurance company or the trucker’s employer if the truck driver was at fault. Working with insurance companies and insurance adjusters can be difficult and especially taxing during this difficult time.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision, consider reaching out to an experienced Utah truck accident lawyer today. Hiring an attorney can help ease stress and make sure that you take the appropriate steps when filing a commercial vehicle claim. An attorney can also ensure your rights are protected and help you get the maximum settlement possible for any damages, losses, and injuries you incurred.

 

Utah Truck Accident Statistics

Utah sees a number of car accidents involving commercial trucks each year. Statistics related to commercial truck accidents in Utah are as follows:

Accident occurs every 22 minutes

at least one

Accidents that may have involved trucks

62,074

on Utah public roadways in 2018

All trucking accidents and fatalities that occurred on a weekday

77%

in 2018

All trucks in Utah involved in a Utah semi-truck accident

9%

in 2018

Rate of drunk driving among truck drivers involved in accidents

significantly lower than other motor vehicle crashes

Truck drivers involved in accidents often have previous crash reports on their driving record

whereas drivers of smaller vehicles often do not

 

Most Dangerous Utah Highways

Just as in other states, there are several dangerous highways in Utah. Being aware of these highways can help you know when to avoid them or encourage you to find a safer route. Some of the most dangerous roadways in the state include:

Roadways Risk Factors
Interstate 15 Risk factors include heavy traffic, limited visibility, a higher speed limit, and an accident-prone highway.
Interstate 70 Risk factors include no services between Green River and Salina, snaking turns, distractions, and a high peak elevation.
Highway 6 Risk factors included narrow traffic lanes, risks of head-on collisions, and a higher speed limit. This highway is also a busy truck route between Salt Lake City and Denver.
Interstate 80 Risk factors include animal migration areas, dangerous winter road conditions, and a higher speed limit.
Washington Boulevard in Ogden Risk factors include a high tailgate zone, deadly crosswalks, a two-lane street, and low left-hand turn visibility.

LegalFinders Can Assist You in Finding the Best Utah Truck Accident Attorney for Your Case

Many individuals decide to work with a trusted Utah law firm following an auto accident to get help throughout the claims process. An attorney will provide you with a full case evaluation and help you decide the next steps you should take to ensure you can seek maximum compensation.

Unfortunately, finding and vetting accident attorneys can be challenging, especially following a truck accident in which you were left injured. That’s where LegalFinders comes in. We have spent years vetting a variety of types of attorneys in all 50 states to ensure we can make the best recommendations possible for your specific case. We have lawyers throughout Utah who would be happy to help you with your case and represent you with the insurance company and in a court of law.

Contact us to learn more about how LegalFinders can assist you and to receive a free case evaluation.

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Published: 23 May 2022

ARTICLE SOURCES

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — The Large Truck Causation Study – Analysis Brief

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Traffic Safety Facts: Large Trucks

Utah Department of Public Safety — Crash Data and Statistics

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